All five volleyball teams ranked in preseason poll

Five LCSN schools are ranked in the Kentucky Volleyball Coach’s Association preseason poll. The season starts Monday.

Assumption appears to be the favorite receiving 21 first place votes out of 22. The Rockets went 33-6 last year and lost in the Seventh Region championship game.

Sacred Heart is ranked No. 2 and is the defending state champs and received one first place vote. The Valkyries perhaps have the best player in the state back – Abigail Westenhofer – but lost everybody else. Sacred Heart went 40-4 last year.

Mercy is No. 3 and is the favorite to win the Sixth Region again this year. The Jaguars have won 18 straight regional titles and figure to do the same again this season with a number of players. Mercy went 32-11 last year and made it to the state semifinals.

Presentation is No. 14 in the state and is hoping to win a third straight All “A” Classic Statewide title. However, Beechwood, the No. 6 team in the state, is the highest ranked team in the field as of right now. The Toppers went 26-8 last year, won the 25th District title, and lost in the Seventh Region semifinals.

Holy Cross is ranked No. 24 and hopes to stop Pres in their tracks. The Cougars haven’t won the All “A” Classic Sixth Region title since 2014 and is hoping to make a return to the small school state tournament this year. Holy Cross went 19-19 last year, won the 21st District title, and lost to Mercy in the Sixth Region championship game.